Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 14 · 2026-10-11

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

Some people say that the main environmental problem of our time is the loss of particular species of plants and animals. Others say that there are more important environmental problems. Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Student answer (Band 6.5)

Nature preservation is a matter of global concern, impacting individuals as well as the earth as a whole. An ongoing debate on the identification of major environmental issues informs that a proportion of people are in agreement that the loss of flora and fauna is the main problem, whereas another group believe there are other important issues. This essay describes both viewpoints.

In today's contemporary world, human beings have increasingly become more compassionate and responsible towards the environment. Among the many environmental concerns of our time, a fraction of individuals believe that the extinction of certain species and deforestation is a significant problem. Biodiversity is essential for the survival of the human race, however, with industrialisation and urbanisation, our planet has experienced major loss of habitat and wildlife. Firstly, cutting of trees has led to reduced levels of oxygen in the air, therefore, more respiratory problems. In addition to that, there are some plants with known medicinal benefits, such as tulsi, and with these being burned or chopped down, the benefits are lost. Secondly, a number of animals have become endangered, or even extinct, which have sigficantly disrupted the food chains, with many animals losing their primary source of food. Hence, the protection of natural biodiversity is a major concern.

On the other hand, some people believe that apart from the destruction of flora and fauna, there are other grave environmental issues, such as pollution, and the lack of awareness among commoners. For example, disposal of harmful chemical substances from factories causes water pollution, which harms the aquatic life, both plants and animals. The burning of fossil fuels leads to air pollution, negatively impacting the air quality and standard of living. Moreover, there are communities which do not understand the gruesome nature of environmental pollution, and campaigns must be designed to effectively educate people in terms of enevironment conservation. Thus, it is important to address several other environmental problems as well.

To summarise, although the loss of particular plants and animals significantly affects the human lives, it must be noted that lack of awareness is the major environmental problem, which if not addressed can harm loives more

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You address both views and give a personal position in the conclusion, identifying lack of awareness as the most important problem. The discussion of species loss includes relevant effects on food chains and the possible loss of medicinal plants, while the other view is supported with examples of water and air pollution. However, the two sides are not developed equally: the first paragraph focuses partly on deforestation, and the conclusion’s claim that awareness is the major problem is not clearly established by comparison with the other issues. Some claims, such as tree loss directly reducing oxygen and causing respiratory problems, need more precise explanation or evidence. Develop the reasoning behind your chosen position and make the comparison between the problems clearer.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.5

The response has a clear overall structure: an introduction, separate paragraphs for the two views, and a concluding position. Sequencing within the body paragraphs is generally easy to follow, and signposts such as “Firstly,” “Secondly,” and “On the other hand” help readers track the discussion. This meets the expected level of coherent organisation, with some progression between ideas. However, the linking can feel mechanical because several points are introduced through formulaic transitions, and the relationship between the examples and the main claim is not always explicit. The final sentence also ends abruptly, weakening the sense of closure. Use more varied, precise links between cause, example, and consequence, and ensure the conclusion completes its thought.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

You use an adequate range of topic vocabulary, including “biodiversity,” “industrialisation,” “aquatic life,” and “fossil fuels,” which allows you to discuss both species loss and pollution. There are also attempts at more formal phrasing, such as “grave environmental issues.” Some less common choices are inaccurate or unnatural, however: “a fraction of individuals” is an awkward way to describe a group, and “gruesome nature” does not fit the meaning of environmental pollution. Spelling slips such as “sigficantly,” “enevironment,” and “loives” also reduce accuracy, though the intended meaning is generally recoverable. Aim for precise collocations and proofread carefully, rather than choosing formal-sounding words that do not fit the context.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.5

You use a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, including subordinate clauses and contrast structures, as in “although the loss of particular plants and animals significantly affects the human lives.” Most sentences communicate their meaning clearly, and punctuation generally supports the argument. Some grammatical errors remain. For example, “a proportion of people … whereas another group believe” has a subject–verb agreement problem, and “Biodiversity is essential … however, with industrialisation…” joins ideas in a way that needs clearer punctuation or a conjunction. The final sentence is incomplete in meaning, ending with “can harm loives more.” To strengthen control, check agreement and sentence boundaries, and make sure each complex sentence has a complete, clearly connected main clause.

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